Ignite presents Ideas for Edmonton, a crowd funding model with a twist! Community members who are passionate about making Edmonton a better place to live are encouraged to post their project on the Ideas for Edmonton website – backers throw their support for projects with votes rather than donations. Edmonton’s NextGen, and a host of sponsors, kick-in the financial backing with $10,000 in funding available.

“Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community but didn’t know where to start? You are not alone,” says Sherman Tsang, Ignite Co-Chair. “Ideas for Edmonton is a local social incubator, a tool to help turn thoughts into actions. Any city resident, looking to make Edmonton a better place to live, can submit a single idea that could be turned into reality!”

Ideasforedmonton.com is an easy-to-use on-line portal where the public can register ideas, search out interesting projects, discuss opportunities and cast votes.

Voting is tallied in three ways:

A single vote is counted when an individual comments on an idea (a single vote per user, not per comment);

A single vote is counted when an individual clicks on the +1 Give Vote link on an idea page;

Two votes are counted when an individual clicks on the +2 Give Time link on an idea page.

Individuals that click this option will be contacted by NextGen following the competition to connect with fellow voters for potential volunteer opportunities to make a specific project move forward.

Idea submissions and Round 1 votes are accepted until April 21st. The top 10 ideas, as calculated by total votes, will go on to Round 2 where a panel of judges will select one or two ideas to receive funding, volunteer support (as sourced through the +2 Give Time voters) and additional mentoring from established makers in the community. Edmonton’s NextGen is proud to foster the success of a variety of community projects and lend its planning expertise to the winning projects. Final winners will be announced in early May, 2013.

Round 2 Forms to be provided to Top 10 by Ignite. These forms serve as your application for funding and support from Edmonton’s NextGen Ignite. Completed forms must be completed by deadline to qualify for consideration.

Why wait for the weekend? The hottest patio party of the summer kicks off courtesy of Latitude 53 and interVivos, in partnership with Edmonton’s NextGen and Canadian International Council-Edmonton. Make your way down to the Latitude 53 Art Gallery (10248 106th Street) after work on Thursday, August 9th, 5pm – 10pm, and join us on downtown’s favourite roof top patio to savour the summer in style.

There’s so much on the table for you and friends to enjoy:

Celebrate Edmonton’s festival season with an array of entertainment, featuring DJs, belly dancers, a special Fringe Festival preview performance and more;

Indulge in the diverse art and installations courtesy of Latitude 53, featuring this week’s entry in the Summer Incubator Series, Daniel Chmieleski;

Sip on drinks from the gallery bar and enjoy hors d’oeuvres provided by Suede Lounge;

Strike a pose at Latitude’s photo wall;

Win door prizes;

Find out more about engaging your city with interVivos, Edmonton’s NextGen and Canadian International Council-Edmonton.

Admission to the August 9th Latitude 53 Patio Party is by donation; your generosity helps support contemporary visual culture in Edmonton. In addition, donations of new toiletries for YESS – Youth Empowerment & Support Services – will also be accepted.

For more information, visit www.latitude53.org. Join the conversation on Twitter, hashtag #yegrooftop

Edmonton’s NextGen, in collaboration with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, announces the 3rd Annual Edmonton Community Challenge (ECC). The ECC is a volunteer-driven, collaborative event, promoting community spirit through friendly competition between community leagues throughout the City of Edmonton. In 2012, ECC changes format to a year-round, seasonally-based events competition; in each 3 month season, teams are encouraged to participate in best-of-Edmonton events to collect points towards earning a series of community enhancement prizes. For more information, visit http://ecc.edmontonnextgen.ca/.

May 26th, 2012 | Secret locations all over the city. Start/End point at Churchill Square.

The Mitsubishi City Chase Powered by GoodLife Fitness is a unique urban adventure that requires participants to exhibit teamwork, resourcefulness, determination and the ability to make decisions on the fly as they search for ChasePoints scattered in unknown locations throughout the city. Think Hard. Play Hard. Laugh Hard. It’s seriously the most fun you can have in your city…without getting arrested!

Hop on a bicycle, pedal away and make your own eco-smoothie! Presented by Edmonton on the Edge, Bikeology and People-Powered Parties.

“The Edmonton Community Leagues are extremely important for connecting and empowering Edmontonians in shaping the future of our city. The EDMONTON COMMUNITY CHALLENGE is an opportunity to connect young Edmontonians with the rich history and ongoing impact that our unique community league system has in making the City a great place to live, learn and work, now and in the future,” ShermanTsang, Edmonton’s NextGen Committee Member & ECC Organizer.

For full details on the EDMONTON COMMUNITY CHALLENGE, visit www.ecc.edmontonnextgen.ca. Teams and individuals are encouraged to visit the website prior to May 26, 2012, for full Spring Season ECC event details.

NEW FOR 2012: No prior registration is required! All team points will be collected and reported by ECC volunteers at each event, look for the Edmonton’s NextGen banner to identify ECC volunteers and check in.